by Theleaders | October 10, 2026 8:15 pm
BANGI, Oct 10 — Tahfiz graduates should have wider opportunities to pursue higher education and professional careers in fields such as technology, engineering and medicine to meet the country’s evolving workforce needs, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said tahfiz education should go beyond Quran memorisation by equipping graduates with the knowledge, skills and qualifications needed to pursue a broader range of careers.
“My principle is simple. Tahfiz graduates should not have to choose between religion and their ambitions. They should be given the opportunity to deepen their religious knowledge while acquiring the skills and qualifications needed for professional careers,” he said at the 10th Huffaz Nusantara Permata Al-Quran Convocation at the German-Malaysian Institute here today.
Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the National Tahfiz Council, said advances in artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy and high technology made it increasingly important for tahfiz graduates to develop skills that would enable them to compete across various sectors.
As such, he said tahfiz education must also keep pace with the country’s human capital needs by providing more pathways to universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, industry and professional fields.
Achieving this would require cooperation among the government, tahfiz institutions, universities and industry to ensure graduates had clear opportunities to progress after completing their studies.
“Tahfiz graduates must not be left to find their own way after graduation. The ecosystem must help them move on to the next stage,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said efforts to strengthen tahfiz education included enhancing the National Tahfiz Education Policy, developing the Malaysian Tahfiz Recognition Standard and strengthening pathways through the Malaysian Tahfiz Certificate to broaden graduates’ education and career options.
He also welcomed the increased allocation for Islamic affairs, pondok schools, tahfiz institutions and people’s religious schools under Budget 2027, as well as improved allowances for religious teachers and mosque personnel
“This reflects the government’s commitment to supporting those involved in Islamic religious affairs, and is a positive development that deserves the support of all parties,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, announced that the allocation for Islamic affairs had been increased to RM3.1 billion from RM2.6 billion this year.
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